Events

In her captivating first novel, Melinda Palacio skillfully weaves a story of politics, intrigue, love, and trust. Isola, a young woman who inherits her mother's Chandler home, relocates from California only to find that her mother had lived a secret life of helping undocumented immigrants. Isola must confront her own confusion and sense of loyalty in a strange and hostile environment. As she gets to know her mother from clues left behind, she grapples with questions of identity and belonging that eventually lead her to explore her life's meaning and to reconnect with her roots.

Melinda Palacio will be in the store to read from Ocotillo Dreams and sign copies of the book at 7PM on November 10th. 

Our mouths are already watering in anticipation of this meet-and-greet with Mourad Lahlou, Iron Chef winner and owner and head chef at Aziza. We'll be celebrating the release of his cookbook, Mourad, with some food and drink samples and a book signing at the store on Saturday, November 19th at 1 PM.

Mourad is anything but a dutifully authentic documentation of Moroccan home cooking. While the recipes therein include the great Moroccan classics--the basteeya, the couscous, the preserved lemons, and much more -- Lahlou adapts them in creative ways that take a Moroccan idea to a whole new place.

So come by on Saturday, November 19th at 1PM to taste some of the food from what critics call "by far the best Moroccan restaurant in the city", and to meet and mingle with the chef and to get your cookbooks signed. We'll see you there!

Hey, remember when the San Francisco Giants won the World Series? Anyone hear about that?

If gloomy weather's got you feeling nostalgic for the fairer days of October 2010, you'll want to check out Matt Johanson's new book, Game of My Life, which covers not just the 2010 Giants' victory but also the most memorable moments in the history of the team dating back to 1958, as told by the players themselves.

Johanson writes about travel, sports, the outdoors, education and politics for several California newspapers and magazines. He'll be discussing Game of My Life in the Granny Smith Room on Saturday, December 3rd at 7PM.

On Thursday, December 15th at 6PM Bi-Rite Market owner Sam Mogannam will be joining us to sample some treats and discuss the quintessential San Francisco cookbook of the season, Bi-Rite Market's Eat Good Food. This event will be both informative and delicious (we hear he's bringing deviled eggs, and we're providing the wine), and he'll also be signing your copies of Bi-Rite Market's Eat Good Food  -- a great gift for any local foodie. See you there! 

Is there a better hangover cure than coffee and a good book? We don't think so. And we'll be here to provide both things (coffee will be free compliments of our friends over at the Toy Boat Desert Cafe) on New Years Day from 11AM to 7PM. Come start the year off right with us.